League of Women Voters Celebrates 95th Anniversary, Looks to the Future of Making Democracy Work®

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Local members, supporters and online activists join together to work for a better America

Washington, DC – This month, the League of Women Voters kicks off a year-long celebration marking the organization’s 95th anniversary. The League’s nearly 800 local and state chapters in communities nationwide will join in honoring this milestone.

“Ninety-five years after its founding, the League continues to make a difference to American lives and in Making Democracy Work®. The League has involved millions of voters in electing government decision makers at all levels of government and in holding them accountable for their actions,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, 18th president of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.

“Today's barriers to the ballot might look different than they did when the League was founded in 1920, but they remain threats to our democracy and voter participation all the same,” MacNamara said. “Equal access to the ballot box is about fairness and equality, something that Carrie Chapman Catt understood as she led efforts to secure women the vote and founded the League of Women Voters to continue to fight discrimination and improve our democracy.”

“The League’s true power arises from the efforts of civic volunteers and activists who successfully take on a range of key issues. The indelible mark of this organization will always stem from the individuals who roll up their sleeves to do whatever is most needed in their communities and the country,” said MacNamara. “Today, and over the decades, we’ve undertaken sustained efforts to improve the voting process. We have also made significant contributions in other public policy areas, such as our multi-year efforts to protect the environment through passage of such legislation as the Clean Air Act and to create the United Nations.”

“As we look to the latest challenges to our democracy, we’re excited to see dedicated local members being joined by significant numbers of online activists across the country. Today, as we mark the League’s 95th anniversary, we celebrate our many accomplishments, but with our eyes firmly on the future,” concluded MacNamara. “As it has been from the beginning, the League of Women Voters remains actively engaged in Making Democracy Work® for all Americans.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The League of Women Voters is celebrating 95 years of Making Democracy Work® at every level of government. In 1920, the League was founded as an outgrowth of the movement that secured women the right to vote to help new voters engage with their government. Today, the League empowers all voters to improve their local, state and national government. Learn more about the League of Women Voters and join our celebration!